What to do with all the stuff you want to declutter
Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you want to declutter is the most common reason we never get started.
The very thought of spending a Sunday evening listing items on eBay can be enough to postpone a much needed clear out. I’ve been there, I get it. Most of us simply can’t be bothered.
Here’s the thing; you’ll feel a squllion times better for getting rid of all that stuff that’s either not serving you or bringing you joy – and you know it! For me, something has to earn its keep else it simply has no place in my home. Life is ever changing and so there’s a constant need for assessment. Making decluttering a habit is key. Knowing exactly where to offload what will make the process easier and much less daunting. Remember you don’t have to declutter everything in one go, start as small as you like.
These are some of my personal favourites and what kind of stuff they’re best for;
There’s little you can’t sell on eBay and it’s always my first port of call. Seller fees have gone up and up but it still has the best reach. Certain brands do better than others, usually those of the moment and popular high street brands like Topshop or Zara. Keep and eye out for free listing days.
Popular with fashion bloggers, Depop is a recent discovery for me and so far it’s worked well for selling clothes. I think the Instagram grid and feed format means a photo of you wearing the item is very important for it to stand out. This is something I’m yet to try. Seller fees are a standard 10%. Be sure to share your account with your social media followers so they can keep an eye on what you’ve got available.
Great for books, I’ve been offloading my I know I’ll never read agains on here since University. You’ll need a seller account and it can take a while to receive the funds after the sale.
Tips for selling stuff online
Selling anything requires the most effort, check what similar items are selling for to see if it’s worth your time
Take good quality photos in natural light against a plain background
Be honest about the condition, why you’re selling and any flaws
Write a clear and simple description detailing measurements, where you got the item and why you’re selling
Post things out asap to keep your seller rating high
Carboots
A long standing tradition in my family, I’m not sure if they are even a thing outside of the UK. Maybe the US equivalent is a yard sale? Find your local car boot with a quick google search, pack up your car with everything you want to sell the night before, set the alarm, off load everything from your pasting table at the sale and you’ll be back in bed by lunch time. You won’t usually get top prices at these sorts of sales but it’s all done and dusted at once which has it’s own appeal.
Charity shops
This is the lazy declutter’s way out. Most household items and clothing are welcome donations at charity shops. You won’t receive a penny for your stuff but there’s a different kind of value here; the kind that comes from giving to a cause you care about. I pull up outside my local animal charity shop regularly and always feel great on my way back out.
As well as the high street charity shops, consider animal sanctuaries and homeless shelters who often welcome blankets, towels and clothing. You can always phone ahead to see if there are specific things they’re in need of.
Clothing banks and recycle centres
If you’ve got things that are beyond repair or in no fit state for reuse then bung in all in a bag and head down to your local recycle centre. They usually have staff around to tell you what goes where.
Don’t buy stuff in the first place
It goes without saying that the easiest way to declutter is not to buy stuff you don’t really want or need in the first place. Offloading stuff will always involve time and effort you can save by making more intentional purchases to begin with.
Although the sorting, selling and offloading feels like a chore, I promise the time and headspace you’ll get in return is worth it.
Happy decluttering! If you’ve got any more suggestions of good places you’ve discovered or have any questions about specific things you want to offload, leave them in the comments below. There isn’t much I haven’t decluttered so I should be able to help.
